Stevie Wonder: ‘I wanted to duet with Amy Winehouse’

aStevie Wonder has revealed that he wanted to collaborate with Amy Winehouse before her death.

The legendary soul singer, who will headline this year’s Bestival, told the Guardian of the anguish he felt when he witnessed younger singers such as Winehouse, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston pass away.

“It’s been a heartbreak,” he said. “Obviously I knew Michael. I knew Whitney, too, and I understand Amy came to my concert in England a couple of years ago.” He then added:

I was thinking about us doing a duet – an old Marvin and Mary Wells song called ‘Once Upon A Time’. It would have been amazing.

When asked whether he would have tried to offer Winehouse guidance or if giving her advice would have been pointless, meanwhile, he replied: “There’s always a point.” Winehouse was found dead, aged 27, at her Camden home on the afternoon of July 23, 2011. Coroners later confirmed that the singer, who had battled drink and drug addiction for several years, had died of alcohol poisoning.

Wonder also spoke out about R&B singer Frank Ocean, who publicly revealed that his first love had been a man earlier this year. “I like Frank,” he said, before adding: “I think honestly, some people who think they’re gay, they’re confused. People can misconstrue closeness for love. People can feel connected, they bond. I’m not saying all [gay people are confused]. Some people have a desire to be with the same sex. But that’s them.”

This year’s Bestival takes place from September 6–9 at Robin Hill Park on the Isle Of Wight, with New Order and Florence And The Machine set to join Wonder as headliners.